Method and apparatus for packaging various products

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for packaging various products. The present invention provides a collapsible container having a plurality of side walls successively connected at fold lines there between. The side walls have a bottom end, whereby the side walls may fold into a collapsed position, wherein the side walls are substantially flat with respect to one another for ease of storage and shipping, and an erect position, wherein the side walls form an enclosure. A pair of interconnecting flaps and a bottom flap are integrally connected to the bottom end of at least one of the side walls along a fold line. The interconnecting flaps and bottom flap are foldable between the collapsed position, wherein the interconnecting flaps and bottom flap disengage one another to become substantially flat with the side walls, and the erect position, wherein the interconnecting flaps and bottom flap engage one another to form an enclosed end of the enclosure. Advertisements and promotional materials may be printed on the collapsible container for raising charitable donations.

This application is related to, and claims the benefit of priority from, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/579,455, filed Jun. 14, 2004.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for packaging various products, and in particular, an apparatus for packing various products that folds between a collapsed position and an erect position, and a method for using the apparatus as a means for raising charitable funds.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Fragile or easily damaged goods are often damaged prior to the consumer making it home with the purchased goods. For instance, loaves of bread are often crushed when placed into a bag with other purchased products. This occurs when other goods within the bag come into contact with the bread during the consumer's trip from the store to their home. Such loaves of bread are typically packaged in a plastic bag which offers no structural protection to the loaf of bread. Rather, the loaf of bread is easily crushed upon any kind of significant force being applied to the bag.

In order to protect such easily damaged goods, such as loaves of bread, manufacturers of such products would have to make a significant investment in providing different types of packaging. Not only would the packaging have to be altered, but all of the shipping containers would also have to be reconstructed. Displaying such products may also have to be changed in light of such new packaging. Supplemental or after-market packaging may also be considered, but such packaging is typically expensive and labor-intensive.

It would be desirable to provide an inexpensive and simple apparatus and method that could protect easily damaged products, such as loaves of bread, from being damaged.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for packing various products. The apparatus of the present invention provides a collapsible container for storing and protecting various products, such as loaves of bread. The collapsible container of the present invention provides a plurality of sidewalls successively connected at fold lines there between. The side walls may fold between a collapsed position, wherein the side walls are substantially flat with respect to one another for ease of storage and shipping, and an erect position, wherein the side walls form an enclosure. A pair of interconnecting flaps are integrally connected along a fold line at a bottom end of at least one of the side walls. The interconnecting flaps are foldable between the collapsed position, wherein the interconnecting flaps disengage one another to become substantially flat with the side walls, and the erect position, wherein the interconnecting flaps engage one another to form a closed end of the enclosure. A bottom flap is integrally connected with the bottom end of at least one of the side walls along a fold line. The bottom flap is foldable between the collapsed position, wherein the bottom flap is substantially flat with the side walls, and an erect position, wherein the bottom flap overlies the interconnecting flaps to form the closed end of the enclosure. A side flap is integrally connected to one of the side walls along a fold line, and the side flap overlaps and connects to another of the side walls to form the enclosure.

The present invention also discloses an illustrative figure, such as a doll, formed on at least one of the side walls. The side wall having the illustrative figure and/or the illustrative figure itself may be outlined by perforated lines such that the illustrative figure may be easily removed from the container. The illustrative figure may have a fold line such that the illustrative figure may be folded at an acute angle to stand the illustrative figure in an erect position. The side walls of the present invention may also provide for various forms of advertising and coupons.

The method of the present invention includes steps of providing a collapsible container having a plurality of side walls connected at fold lines and a pair of interconnecting flaps and a bottom flap connected to at least one of said side walls at a fold line to form a bottom of said collapsible container, whereby said collapsible container folds between a collapsed position, wherein said collapsible container lies substantially flat for ease of storage and shipping, and an erect position, wherein said collapsible container forms an enclosure; charging advertisers an advertising fee to print advertising on said collapsible container; utilizing a portion of said advertising fee to pay for the manufacturing of the collapsible container; and donating another portion of the advertising fee to charity. The method may also include the step of paying a portion of the advertising fee to a retailer to distribute the collapsible container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The various other uses of the present invention will become more apparent by referring to the following detailed descriptions and drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an unrolled view of the present invention showing portions of the interconnecting flaps not connected to one another.

FIG. 2 is a unrolled view of the present invention showing portions of the interconnecting flaps connected to one another.

FIGS. 3-5 are successive perspective views of the interconnecting flaps of the present invention moving from the collapsed position to the erect position.

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of the collapsible container of the present invention in the erect position.

FIG. 6B is a perspective view of the collapsible container of the present invention in the collapsed position.

FIG. 7 is a front view of the illustrative figure on the collapsible container of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the folded illustrative figure on the collapsible container of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the drawings, the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the disclosed embodiment.

FIGS. 1-8 illustrate an apparatus and method of the present invention for packaging various products. The present invention provides a collapsible container 10 fabricated from a corrugated cardboard or any similar paperboard product or plastic that may be utilized to perform the same functions thereof. The corrugated cardboard of the collapsible container 10 is recyclable, thereby making the collapsible container 10 environmentally friendly. The collapsible container 10 of the present invention provides eight side walls 12 that are adjacently connected by fold lines 14. Although the present invention is ideally suited for eight side walls 12, the present invention is not limited to eight side walls 12. Rather, the present invention may utilize any number of side walls 12 that provides the same advantages described in the following specification. The fold lines 14 allow the collapsible container 10 to fold in a collapsed position, wherein the side walls 12 are substantially flat with respect to one another, as seen in FIG. 6B. By folding the side walls 12 of the collapsible container 10 into a substantially flat position, the collapsible container 10 can easily be stored and shipped by utilizing a minimum amount of space. The side walls 12 of the collapsible container 10 may also fold into an erect position, wherein the side walls 12 form an open-ended, octagonal enclosure 16, as shown in FIG. 6A. A pair of interconnecting flaps 18, 20 and a bottom flap 22 fold together to form a bottom 24 of the enclosure 16, as will be described in detail later in this specification. An open end 25 of the enclosure 16 may receive and protect various items, such as a loaf of bread, when the collapsible container 10 is in the erect position. Although the collapsible container 10 of the present invention is ideally suited for loaves of bread, the present invention is not limited to receiving and protecting loaves of bread, but rather, other products such as cookies, eggs, small bags of chips, and any other items that might fit into the enclosure 16 may also be utilized. The octagonal shape of the collapsible container 10 provides a number of functional advantages over other geometric shapes. For instance, the octagonal shape of the collapsible container 10 allows for the reception of various shapes and styles of bread loaves, including french, round, sliced, etc. The octagonal shape of the enclosure 16 also allows the collapsible container 10 to flex and adjust to receive a variety of different shaped products. In addition, the octagonal shape of the collapsible container 10 avoids the use of sharp corners, thereby making it less likely that the corners will poke any of the products held in the enclosure 16.

To create the collapsible container 10, a blank sheet of paperboard 26 is utilized, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2. Eight substantially rectangular side walls 20 are formed and defined by the fold lines 14. The fold lines 14 may or may not be perforated. Four of the side walls 12 have a first width 28, and four of the side walls 12 have a second width 30 wherein the second width side walls 30 are wider than the first width side walls 28. The first width side walls 28 and the second width side walls 30 successively alternate along the paperboard 26. A side flap 32 is integrally connected by a fold line 34 to a second width side wall 30 on one end of the paperboard blank 26. The side flap 32 is substantially rectangular with tapered ends 33. The side flap 32 overlaps and is connected to a first width side wall 20 at the opposite end of the paperboard blank 26. Side flap 32 is connected to the first width side wall 28 through the use of a conventional adhesive. When the side flap 32 is connected to the first width side wall 28, the side walls 12 take on the form of the enclosure 16, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B.

To form the bottom 24 of the enclosure 16, the interconnecting flaps 18, 20 and the bottom flap 22 are integrally connected to a bottom end 36 of the side walls 12 at a fold line 38. Interconnecting flap 18 has a substantially rectangular first portion 18 a which extends from one of the second width side walls 30 and a second hook-shaped portion 18 b which extends from one of the first width side walls 28, as seen in FIG. 1. Interconnecting flap 20 is similar in that it has a substantially rectangular first portion 20 a which extends from one of the second width side walls 30 and a second hook-shaped portion 20 b which extends from one of the first width side walls 28. Prior to assembling the enclosure 16, the first and second portions 18 a-b, 20 a-b of interconnecting flaps 18, 20 are adhesively connected, as seen in FIG. 2. The bottom flap 22 extends from one of the second width side walls 30, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2.

When moving from the collapsed position to the erect position, the interconnecting flaps 18, 20 and the bottom flap 22 fold inside the enclosure 16 and lay in a substantially flat position, as shown in FIG. 6B. Upon applying pressure to the sides of the collapsible container 12, interconnecting flaps 18, 20 begin to move outwardly and downwardly toward the bottom 24 of the enclosure 16, as seen in FIGS. 3-5. The user reaches down through the open end of the enclosure 16 and applies downward pressure to the bottom flap 22. The interconnecting flaps 18, 20 have their hook-shaped portions 18 b, 20 b engage one another in an overlapping, interlocking fashion so as to interconnect with one another, as seen in FIG. 5. A first portion 22 a of the bottom flap 22 overlies the interconnecting flaps 18, 20 to form the bottom 24 of the enclosure 16. A second portion 22 b of the bottom flap 22 folds upwardly adjacent one of the second width side walls 30 to stabilize the bottom flap 22 in the erect position of the collapsible container 10.

Lastly, an aperture 50 may extend through one of the first width side walls 28 of the collapsible container 10. Although the present invention only illustrates one aperture 50 extending through the first width side wall 28, any number of apertures 50 may be utilized through any of the side walls 12. The aperture 50 may be utilized for grasping the collapsible container 10 by placing a user's finger through the aperture 50. In addition, the collapsible container 10 may be supported or hung by placing a hook or hanger through the aperture 50 in the first width side wall 28.

The outside surface of the collapsible container 10 may have various illustrative FIGS. 40, such as dolls 42, formed on the first width side walls 28 of the collapsible container 10. Although the present invention is ideally suited for the use of dolls 42 as illustrative FIGS. 40, the present invention is not limited to dolls 42 as illustrative FIGS. 40, but rather, the present invention may include any type of illustrative FIGS. 40 that may be considered educational, informative, entertaining, or collectible. As in the case of dolls 42 as illustrative FIGS. 40, dolls 42 from various countries may be dressed in full color costume representing an individual country or culture. The dolls 42 may also be illustrated with their country flag 44 and various country facts 46 related to the particular country for which the flag 44 and doll 42 represent, as seen in FIGS. 7-8. As previously noted, perforations may be provided along the fold lines defined in the first width side walls 28 such that the dolls 42, flag 44, and country facts 46 may be easily removed from the collapsible container 10. Perforations may also be provided around the upper portion of the doll 42 to further make removal of the doll 42 from the collapsible container 10 easier. The perforations may also extend just below the country facts 46 so as to maintain the integrity of the collapsible container 10 upon the removal of the dolls 42. A fold line 48 is also provided on the first width side walls 28 such that when the dolls 42 are removed from the collapsible container 10, the first width side wall 28 may be folded along the fold line 48 to position the dolls 42 in an erect position, as seen in FIG. 8. The dolls 42 may also be left unfolded, as seen in FIG. 7, to act as a bookmarker, a trading card, or as an arts and craft item for use in a mobile, school fund raiser, etc.

The collapsible container 10 may also be utilized to present various forms of advertisement. The size of the collapsible container 10 is proportionally adjustable to make advertising billboard space larger. Various advertisements for various products may be printed on the second width side walls 30 of the collapsible container 10. In addition, coupons, game pieces, or giveaways may be printed on either of the first or second width side walls 28, 30 of the collapsible container 10. Perforated lines may be utilized to outline the coupons, game pieces, or giveaways in order to make removal of the coupons, game pieces, or giveaways easier from the side walls 12. The collapsible container 10 may also contain health and nutritional information, public service announcements, and healthy living promotions.

The collapsible container 10 is designed to create a greater cultural awareness and understanding in children by using international costumes on the dolls 42 appearing on the collapsible container 10. The present invention is designed as an apparatus and method for promoting and generating charitable contributions for children's causes. The method to achieve this goal includes soliciting advertisers/sponsors and/or solicit supermarkets or retailers as advertisers and distributors of the collapsible container 10. The advertisers/sponsors pay an advertising fee and a portion of the advertising fee is applied to the manufacture and/or distribution of the collapsible containers 10. Another portion of the advertising fee is directed to charity programs that benefit children. In return, the advertisers/sponsors receive printed advertisements on the collapsible container 10, or the advertisers/sponsors may receive printed recognition on the outside of the collapsible container 10. By doing so, the advertisers/sponsors and supermarkets/retailers benefit from being associated with a “good cause.” Supermarkets are solicited for distribution and for use to package their purchased bread products, as well as other various products. Supermarkets may be paid to use and/or distribute the collapsible containers 10 from the advertising fees derived from the advertisers/sponsors. The collapsible containers 10 are manufactured and printed with paid advertisements, illustrative figures, and other promotional and educational information printed on the side walls 12.

The collapsible containers 10 are distributed to supermarkets for distribution to the public with every purchase of bread, or other various products, either at the cashier, in a display near the cashier, and/or near the various products packaged in the collapsible container 10 at the discretion of the supermarket. The public is enticed to purchase additional products with the collapsible containers 10 and increase awareness of advertisers/sponsors and supermarkets/retailers through free distribution of the collapsible container 10 having collectable items (illustrative figures); advertised giveaways; promotions; incentives to visit web sites of advertisers/sponsors, supermarkets, and charity institutions; information about poverty, world hunger, and the ongoing needs of children around the world printed on the collapsible container 10. The present invention is not limited to supermarkets distributing the collapsible container 10, but rather, any entity, organization, or retailer that is in a position to distribute the collapsible container 10, such as department stores, newspapers, fund raisers, etc., may do so.

The apparatus and method of the present invention is aimed at helping achieve peace and prosperity for people worldwide by helping to solve problems of children and their families, including hunger, poverty, disease, lack of clean water, lack of education, and the absence of sustainable programs that would promote independence and freedom. Profits will be advocated to children's causes, education, increased public awareness, and programs for children to connect with each other in order to work on solutions to the world's problems and become positive citizens of the world. The present invention is not limited to children's causes, but rather, the apparatus and method of the present invention may be utilized to raise funds for variable charitable causes having similar objectives, as noted above.

In operation, the collapsible container 10 is typically stored in the collapsed position, as seen in FIG. 6B. When the collapsible container 10 is to be used, pressure is applied to the outer surfaces of the side walls 12 of the collapsible container 10 in order to form the side walls 12 into the enclosure 16. The interconnecting flaps 18, 20 and the bottom flap 22 begin moving inwardly and downwardly toward the bottom 24 of the enclosure 16. A user inserts his hand through the open end of the enclosure 16 and pushes the bottom flap 22 downward toward the interconnecting flaps 18, 20 such that the interconnecting flaps 18, 20 engage one another in an overlapping and interlocking fashion. The collapsible container 10 is then ready for use, and any of the previously mentioned products may then be inserted into the enclosure 16 for their containment and protection. The collapsible container 10 may be utilized in a horizontal position whereby the collapsible container 10 lies on one of the side walls 12, or the collapsible container 10 may be utilized in a vertical position whereby the collapsible container 10 stands on its bottom 24. In addition, pressure may be applied to the side walls 12 of the container 12 to have the container 12 flex and adjust to the side of the product being held by the container 10.

While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but to the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications or equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. The scope is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures as is permitted under the law. 

1. A collapsible container, comprising: a plurality of side walls successively connected at fold lines there between, and said side walls having a bottom end, whereby said side walls may fold between a collapsed position, wherein said side walls are substantially flat with respect to one another for ease of storage and shipping, and an erect position, wherein said side walls form an enclosure; a pair of interconnecting flaps integrally connected to said bottom end of at least one of said side walls along a fold line, and said interconnecting flaps foldable between said collapsed position, wherein said interconnecting flaps disengage one another to become substantially flat with said side walls, and said erect position, wherein said interconnecting flaps engage one another to form a closed end of enclosure; and a bottom flap integrally connected with said bottom end of at least one of said side walls along a fold line, and said bottom flap foldable between said collapsed position, wherein said bottom flap is substantially flat with said side walls, and an erect position, wherein said bottom flap overlies said interconnecting flaps to form said closed end of said enclosure.
 2. The collapsible container stated in claim 1, further comprising: said fold lines between said side walls being perforated.
 3. The collapsible container stated in claim 1, further comprising: an illustrative figure formed on at least one of said side walls.
 4. The collapsible container stated in claim 1, further comprising: at least one of said side walls having an aperture extending therethrough for hanging or grasping said collapsible container.
 5. The collapsible container stated in claim 1, wherein said side walls further comprise: a first width side wall and a second width side wall, wherein said second width side wall is wider than said first width side wall, and said first and second width side walls successively alternating about said enclosure.
 6. The collapsible container stated in claim 1, further comprising: a side flap integrally connected to a first of said side walls along a fold line, and said side flap overlapping and connected to a second of said side walls to form said enclosure.
 7. A collapsible container, comprising: a plurality of substantially rectangular side walls successively connected at fold lines there between, and said side walls having a top end and a bottom end, wherein said side walls may fold between a collapsed position, wherein said side walls are substantially flat with respect to one another for ease of storage and shipping, and an erect position, wherein said side walls form an enclosure having an open end at said top end of said side walls; a pair of interconnecting flaps each integrally connected to said bottom end of at least one of said side walls along a fold line, and said interconnecting flaps foldable between said collapsed position, wherein said interconnecting flaps disengage one another to become substantially flat with respect to said side walls, and an erect position, wherein said interconnecting flaps engage and partially overlap one another to form a closed end of said enclosure; and a bottom flap integrally connected with said bottom end of at least one of said side walls along a fold line, and said bottom flap foldable between said collapsed position, wherein said bottom flap is substantially flat with said side walls, and an erect position, wherein said bottom flap overlies said interconnecting flaps to form said closed end of said enclosure.
 8. The collapsible container stated in claim 7, further comprising: said fold lines between said side walls being perforated.
 9. The collapsible container stated in claim 7, further comprising: illustrative figures formed on at least one of said side walls, and said illustrative figures outline by perforated lines to allow for easy removability of said illustrative figures from said at least one of said side walls.
 10. The collapsible container stated in claim 7, further comprising: at least one of said side walls having an aperture extending therethrough for hanging or grasping said collapsible container.
 11. The collapsible container stated in claim 7, further comprising: at least one of said side walls having advertising formed thereon.
 12. The collapsible container stated in claim 7, further comprising: at least one of said side walls having coupons formed thereon.
 13. The collapsible container stated in claim 7, wherein said side walls further comprise: four first width side walls and four second width side walls wherein said second width side walls are wider than said first width side walls, and said first and second width side walls successively alternating about said enclosure.
 14. The collapsible container stated in claim 7, further comprising: a side flap integrally connected to a first of said side walls along a fold line, and said side flap overlapping and connected to a second of said side walls to form said enclosure.
 15. A method for packaging various products, comprising the steps of: providing a collapsible container having a plurality of side walls connected at fold lines and a pair of interconnecting flaps and a bottom flap connected to at least one of said side walls at a fold line to form a bottom of said collapsible container, whereby said collapsible container is foldable between a collapsed position, wherein said collapsible container lies substantially flat for ease of storing and shipping said collapsible container, and an erect position, wherein said collapsible container forms an enclosure for receiving and protecting said various products; charging advertisers an advertising fee to place advertising on said collapsible container; utilizing a portion of said fee to pay for the manufacturing of said collapsible containers; and donating another portion of said advertising fee to charity.
 16. The method stated in claim 15, the steps further comprising: paying a portion of said advertising fee to a retailer to distribute said collapsible container.
 17. The method stated in claim 15, the steps further comprising: printing illustrative figures and facts of children from various countries and cultures on said collapsible container to enhance awareness of various cultures.
 18. The method stated in claim 15, the steps further comprising: charging retailers a promotional fee for printing coupons and/or promotional giveaways on said collapsible containers; utilizing a portion of said promotional fee to pay for the manufacturing of the collapsible container; and donating another portion of said promotional fee to charity. 